• Sales from continuing operations of $61.4 million, versus $61.7 million last year
• Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $8.3 million, or 13.5% of sales, up from $7.7 million, or 12.4% of sales, last year
• Earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.12, excluding acquisition-related costs net of taxes, versus $0.10 last year
• Strategic acquisition of APPH subsequent to the end of the quarter
• Pro forma funded backlog of $448 million
  
  

LONGUEUIL, QC, Feb. 7, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Héroux-Devtek Inc. (TSX: HRX), ("Héroux-Devtek" or the "Corporation"), a leading Canadian manufacturer of aerospace products, today reported its results for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 ended December 31, 2013. Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts are in Canadian dollars. Net income from discontinued operations for the three- and nine-month periods ended December 31, 2012 includes the results of substantially all of the Corporation's Aerostructure and Industrial Products operations sold to Precision Castparts Corp. (NYSE: PCP) on August 31, 2012 and the gain from the sale of discontinued operations.

"Héroux-Devtek generated a higher operating profitability during the third quarter as a result of a more favourable product mix compared with last year. As witnessed since the beginning of the current fiscal year, the strength of the large commercial aircraft market continues to be the main revenue driver, while the military aerospace market remains affected by U.S. budgetary constraints," said Gilles Labbé, President and CEO of Héroux-Devtek.

Consolidated sales from continuing operations amounted to $61.4 million, stable compared with $61.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013. Sales to the commercial aerospace market increased 3.2% to $28.5 million resulting from new actuator business and production rate increase on the B-777 program, partially offset by lower volume to the regional jet market. Sales to the military aerospace market declined 3.4% to $33.0 million due to a slowdown in repair and overhaul activity, lower spare parts requirements, mainly on the B-2 and F-15 programs, and reduced electronic enclosure and cabinet sales at Magtron resulting from lower customer demand. These factors were partially offset by new business with Boeing on the CH-47 Chinook helicopter program. Lower military sales also reflect a weak U.S. military market due to reduced base defense budget funding and sequestration.

Fluctuations in the value of the Canadian currency versus the US currency increased third-quarter sales by $0.2 million but had a negative effect of $0.8 million, or 1.3% of sales, on gross profit compared with last year's third quarter. The impact of currency movements on the Corporation's gross profit is influenced by the use of forward foreign exchange sales contracts and the natural hedging from the purchase of materials made in U.S. dollars.

Gross profit reached $10.0 million, or 16.3% of sales, up from $9.4 million, or 15.1% of sales, last year. This increase reflects a favourable military aftermarket product mix, partially offset by a higher under-absorption of manufacturing overhead costs resulting from reduced repair and overhaul activity and lower spare parts volume. Excluding acquisition-related costs of $1.1 million before income taxes, equivalent to $0.04 per diluted share net of income taxes, adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations totalled $8.3 million, or 13.5% of sales, compared with $7.7 million, or 12.4% of sales, last year.

Net income from continuing operations was $2.6 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, versus $3.2 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2013. Excluding acquisition-related costs net of taxes, earnings per share stood at $0.12 per diluted share in the third quarter of fiscal 2014.

FINANCIAL POSITION
As at December 31, 2013, Héroux-Devtek's balance sheet was healthy with cash and cash equivalents of $98.2 million, or $3.11 per share. At that same date, total debt was $69.7 million, including $23.4 million drawn against the Corporation's authorized Credit Facility of $150.0 million, but excluding net deferred financing costs. As a result, the Corporation's net cash position stood at $28.6 million as at December 31, 2013.

NINE MONTHS RESULTS
For the first nine months of fiscal 2014, consolidated sales from continuing operations reached $180.8 million, versus $183.2 million a year earlier. Currency variations increased sales by $0.4 million, but reduced gross profit by $1.2 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2014. Excluding acquisition-related costs of $1.4 million before income taxes, equivalent to $0.04 per diluted share net of income taxes, adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations stood at $22.6 million, or 12.5% of sales, compared with $22.9 million, or 12.5% of sales, a year earlier.

Net income from continuing operations totalled $8.0 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, versus $8.8 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, in the prior year. Excluding acquisition-related costs net of taxes, earnings per share stood at $0.29 per diluted share in the first nine months of fiscal 2014.

RECENT EVENT
Subsequent to the end of the quarter, Héroux-Devtek announced the acquisition of U.K.-based APPH Limited and U.S.-based APPH Wichita, Inc. (together "APPH"). APPH is an integrated provider of landing gear and hydraulic systems and assemblies for original equipment manufacturer ("OEM") and aftermarket applications. Héroux-Devtek is acquiring four plants in the United Kingdom and one plant in Wichita, Kansas. These plants have a combined workforce of approximately 400 employees, including a design engineering department staffed with 40 professionals. For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2013, APPH generated revenues of approximately US$77 million and an adjusted EBITDA of approximately US$12.5 million. The purchase price, net of about US$4 million of cash acquired, is approximately US$124 million. The transaction is being financed with the Corporation's available cash and existing credit facilities.

OUTLOOK
Conditions remain favourable in the commercial aerospace market. Large commercial aircraft manufacturers achieved record deliveries in calendar 2013 and, reflecting robust new orders, their backlogs remain strong, representing eight years of production at current rates. In the business jet market, key indicators indicate a recovery to be sustained over the next few years driven by a better economy and the introduction of several new aircraft, including three models for which Héroux-Devtek is currently developing the landing gear. The military aerospace market is expected to remain difficult. Although a recent U.S. budgetary agreement may partially alleviate cutbacks imposed by sequestration, conditions remain challenging and the situation could affect the Corporation beyond the current fiscal year, despite having a diversified military portfolio, balanced between new component manufacturing and aftermarket products and services, that should lessen this impact.

As at December 31, 2013, Héroux-Devtek's funded (firm orders) backlog stood at $368 million, versus $361 million at the beginning of the fiscal year and remains well diversified. This variation reflects initial orders for the long-term contract to supply complete landing gear systems for the B-777 program, partially offset by a lower backlog on certain military programs. On a pro forma basis, the backlog reaches $448 million.

"Looking ahead, the fourth quarter has historically been our strongest period and this fiscal year should be no exception, but we anticipate that consolidated sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014 will be slightly lower than last year, excluding the impact of the APPH acquisition. For the next fiscal year ending March 31, 2015, Héroux-Devtek will continue to benefit from the sustained strength of the commercial aerospace market and will increasingly gain from the contribution of its design and development programs. These factors should offset persistent weakness in the military aerospace sector, resulting in sales that are expected to remain relatively stable, excluding the impact of the APPH acquisition. More importantly, the significant and immediate strategic benefits stemming from the acquisition of APPH will strengthen our competitive position in the global landing gear market and create further value for our shareholders," concluded Mr. Labbé.

CONFERENCE CALL
Héroux-Devtek Inc. will hold a conference call to discuss these results on Friday, February 7, 2014 at 10:00 AM Eastern Time. Interested parties can join the call by dialling (514) 807-9895 (Montreal or overseas) or 1-888-231-8191 (elsewhere in North America). The conference call can also be accessed via live webcast at Héroux-Devtek's website, www.herouxdevtek.com, www.newswire.ca or www.q1234.com.

If you are unable to call in at this time, you may access a tape recording of the meeting by calling 1-855-859-2056 and entering the passcode 34682841 on your phone. This tape recording will be available on Friday, February 7, 2014 as of 1:00 PM Eastern Time until 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Friday, February 14, 2014.

PROFILE
Héroux-Devtek Inc. (TSX: HRX) is a Canadian company specializing in the design, development, manufacture and repair and overhaul of landing gear systems and components for the Aerospace market. The Corporation is the third largest landing gear company worldwide, supplying both the commercial and military sectors of the Aerospace market with new landing gear systems and components, as well as aftermarket products and services. The Corporation also manufactures electronic enclosures, heat exchangers and cabinets for suppliers of airborne radar, electro-optic systems and aircraft controls through its Magtron operations.  On a pro forma basis, approximately 75% of the Corporation's sales are outside Canada, including 50% in the United States. The Corporation's head office is located in Longueuil, Québec with facilities in the Greater Montreal area (Longueuil, Laval and St-Hubert); Kitchener and Toronto, Ontario; Springfield and Cleveland, Ohio; Wichita Kansas; and Runcorn, Nottingham and Bolton, United Kingdom.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Except for historical information provided herein, this press release may contain information and statements of a forward-looking nature concerning the future performance of the Corporation. These statements are based on suppositions and uncertainties as well as on management's best possible evaluation of future events. Such factors may include, without excluding other considerations, fluctuations in quarterly results, evolution in customer demand for the Corporation's products and services, the impact of price pressures exerted by competitors, and general market trends or economic changes. As a result, readers are advised that actual results may differ from expected results.

NON-IFRS MEASURES
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") and adjusted EBITDA are financial measures not prescribed by International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and are not likely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Management considers these to be useful information to assist investors in evaluating the Corporation's profitability, liquidity and ability to generate funds to finance its operations.

Note to readers: Complete unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion & Analysis are available on Héroux-Devtek's website at www.herouxdevtek.com.

SOURCE Héroux-Devtek Inc.